<p>Carbonyl sulfide (COS) is an effective tracer for estimating Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) in the carbon cycle. As the largest contribution to the atmosphere, anthropogenic COS emissions must be accurately quantified. In this study, an anthropogenic COS emission inventory from 2015 to 2021 was constructed by applying the bottom-up approach based on activity data from emission sources. China’s anthropogenic COS emissions increased from approximately 171 to 198 Gg S yr⁻¹ from 2015–2021, differing from the trends of other pollutants. Despite an initial decline in COS emissions across sectors during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic, a rapid rebound in emissions occurred following the resumption of economic activities. In 2021, industrial sources, coal combustion, agriculture and vehicle exhaust accounted for 76.8%, 12.3%, 10.5% and 0.4% of total COS emissions, respectively. The aluminum industry was the primary COS emitter among industrial sources, contributing 40.7% of total emissions. Shandong, Shanxi, and Zhejiang were the top three provinces in terms of anthropogenic COS emissions, reaching 39, 21 and 17 Gg S yr⁻¹, respectively. Provincial-level regions (hereafter province) with high COS emissions are observed mainly in the eastern and coastal regions of China, which, together with the wind direction, helps explain the pattern of high COS concentrations in the Western Pacific Ocean in winter. The Green Contribution Coefficient of COS (GCC_COS) was used to assess the relationship between GDP and COS emissions, highlighting the disparity between GDP and COS contributions to green development. As part of this analysis, relevant recommendations are proposed to address this disparity. The COS emission inventory in our study can be used as input for the Sulfur Transport and Deposition Model (STEM), reducing uncertainties in the atmospheric COS source–sink budget and promoting understanding of the atmosphere sulfur cycle.</p>